Chalking device



(No Model.)

0. A. RITTMAN.

OHALKING DEVICE.

No. 587,868. Patented Aug. 10,1897.

FEFL

INVENT Cl'Ff'.

M w EM ATTY'S UNITED. STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHRISTIAN A. RITTMAN, OF SANDUSKY, OHIO.

CHALKING DEVICE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 587,863, dated August 10, 1897.

Application filed June 24,1896. Serial No, 596,698. (No model.) I

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHRISTIAN A. RITTMAN, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Sandusky, county of Erie, and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Line-Ohalking Devices, of which the following is a specification, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the best mode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The annexed drawings and the following description set forth in detail one mechanical form embodying the invention, such detail construction being but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure I represents a side elevation of my improved linechalking device; Fig. II, a View partly in longitudinal cross-section and partly in elevation; Fig. III, an end elevation; Fig. IV, a perspective view of one end of the device, showing a modification of the manner of attaching the chalk; and Fig. V is a perspective view representing the manner of manipulating the device.

The device consists of a handle A, constructed of wood, turned to a suitable form for being gripped by the hand and formed with an enlarged portion or flange a, the edge a of which is rounded off. The flange a surrounds a central cylindrical recess a extending part way into the handle. A central lon gitudinal bore a extends into the opposite end of the handle and communicates with the recess a by means of a central bore a of smaller diameter than that of a and forms the shoulder a A slot a is cut into the end of the handle, traversing it'centrally and cutting the bore a A spindle O, of slightly smaller diameter than thebore a traverses the handle A and extends through and beyond the recess a Upon the end of the spindle O is mounted the spool B of slightly smaller diameter than that of the recess a formed at its upper end with the flange b and two small lateral recesses b. The spool in turn mounts an annular cylinder of chalk D of a little less altitude than the distance from the inner side of the flange b and the opposite end of the spool, forming the shoulder b The one end of the chalk is formed with a projecting boss d, upon which is mounted a thin sheet-metal cup E, whose face is perforated with a circular series of indentations forming small lips e, projecting downwardly into the chalk and which serve to prevent the said cup from rotating upon the chalk. The cup E is further provided with two small lips e, which project into the lateral recesses in'the' spool b, and thus prevent the cup E and the attached chalk D from rotating upon the spool. A thin sheetmetal cup F covers the flange b and protects the wood from damage. The spindle O journals the spool and chalk and is pierced near its extreme end by a small split pin G,

thereby preventing the retraction of the spindle. 1

The opposite end of the spindle is provided with a handle 0, formed with an eye a, a circularly-enlarged portion 0 and a lip 0 the eye portion projecting through one side of the slot a the lip projecting into the other side, and the portion 0 moving in the bore 0 the eye itself clearing the Wooden handle. A spring H is interposed between the shoulder a and the enlarged portion 0 of the small han dle c and holds the chalk against the flange a.

In the modification of the manner of attaching the chalk to the spool the flange b is omitted and the lip e projects into a downwardly and then laterally and upwardly recessed slot 19 In operating the device the handle A is gripped in the hand, the little finger inserted through the eye c, the line'inserted in the line-opening between the flange a, the chalk D resting against the shoulder 6 The operator passes the instrument along the line, which has previously been stretched taut, the helical construction of the line acting like a screw and rotating itself, exposing all its surface to the chalk, while the chalk at the same time rotates about the spindle O and submits all parts of the surface of its base to an equal or nearly equal amount of abrasion. As the chalk abrades the spool enters the recess a, thus compensating for wear.

In case of the presence of knots in the line a slight pressure of the little finger will neutralize the pressure of the chalk against the line and permit the said chalk to retract and the obstruction to pass through.-

When it is desired to remove or replenish the chalk, the split pin 6 is removed from the spindle, permitting the removal of the spool, from which the chalk can be slid oif or on, disengaging'or engaging the lips I).

In the modified form shown in Fig. IV the chalk with its. attached cup need merely to be pushed downwardly, then rotated a short distance, and then pulled off the spool, as will be readily understood.

Ihe form shown in Fig. II is my preferred.

form.

Other modes of applying the principles of my invention may be employed for the mode herein explained. Change may therefore be made as regards the mechanism thus disclosed, provided the principles of construction set forth respectively in the following claims are employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention- 1. In a line-chalking device, the combination of a fixed surface, a rotatable surface, one of said surfaces being a chalk-surface, said surfaces forming an annular line-opening and means adapted to vary the width of said opening, substantially as set forth.

2. In a line-chalking device, the combination of a fixed and a rotatable surface,one of which is a chalk-surface, said rotatable surface mounted upon a spindle, means adapted to confine said rotatablesurface on said spindle, said surfaces forming an annular lineopening, means adapted to retract said confining means, whereby said surfaces are permitted to retract, substantially as set forth.

3. In a line-chalking device, the combination of a handle, a fixed surface at the end of said handle, a rotatable surface, said surfaces forming an annular line-opening, saidr'otatable surface mounted upon a spindle, means adapted to cause said surfaces to approach each other, and means adapted to retract said spindle whereby said surfaces are permitted to retract, one of said surfaces being a. chalk surface, substantially as set forth.

4.' In a line-chalking device, the conlbina-f-50f with means for confining said surface thereon, and means adapted to release said confining means, whereby said surfaces are permitted to retract, substantially as set forth. l

5. In a line-chalking device, the combination of a piece of chalk mounted upon a spool,

said spool mounted upon a retractable spin. 7 I dle, a washer having binding engagement 1 with said chalk and said spool, whereby V said chalk is rotatively fixed relatively to spool; an opposing surface, said chalk surface adapted to yieldingly impinge upon and rotate relatively to each other, substdil 7o tially as set forth. 6. In a line chalking device, the combing nation of a cylindrical piece of chalk, mounted upon a spool, a handle formed with a lone gitudinal bore and a recess adapted to receive 75. f said spool, and an axial slot traversing handle, and further formed with a fiat surface. concentric with the recess; a spindle formal with a handle at right angles, the said spindle traversing the longitudinal bore of the 80 and j ournaling the spool and chalk; a 's located in the longitudinal bore and adap 1 3 to hold the chalk against the surf-ace,

means for preven-tingthe dislodgment of the spool from the spindle, substantially forth. In testimony that'I claim the foregoing to be my invention I have hereunto set my hand l this 18th day of June, A. D. 1896..

CHRISTIAN A. RITTMAN.

Witnesses:

PHILIP BUERKLE, WM. H. WINDISOH.

ble and mounted upon a spindle provided 

